If you want to keep improving on the bike, the secret is simple. Consistency. That means finding a way to train through winter when the weather, traffic and road conditions make it less appealing to ride outdoors. This is where a gravel bike becomes the perfect solution for every road cyclist. Not only does it open up a whole new world of off road adventure, but it also works as a safe, low maintenance and incredibly fun option for winter base miles. A Safer, Smarter Winter Bike When the roads turn wet, icy or full of debris, a gravel bike really shines. The wider tyres with tread give you better grip and control, helping you stay upright and confident even on rough or slippy surfaces. If your gravel setup is 1x, it is even easier to clean and maintain because there is no front derailleur to clog up with mud and grime. The added clearance between the frame and tyres also means fewer mechanical issues and less time cleaning. You can simply get out, ride and enjoy it. Pure Fun Without the Traffic Gravel riding gives you the freedom to explore quiet country lanes, bridleways and forest tracks away from cars and busy roads. It is stress free, peaceful and brings back that sense of freedom that made you fall in love with cycling in the first place. If you are usually chasing watts or average speed, gravel riding offers something different. It gives you a chance to reconnect with the joy of riding without worrying about holding a wheel or dodging traffic. You will also find you stay warmer off road. Trails are often sheltered by trees and hedgerows, and because you ride slightly slower, you are less exposed to the cooling wind. It makes winter training far more enjoyable and comfortable. Comfort That Keeps You Riding Longer Gravel bikes are designed for comfort. The combination of wider tyres, lower pressures and more relaxed geometry makes them ideal for longer, easier rides. You can stay warm, comfortable and in control on even the longest winter base rides. It is the perfect tool for building endurance and aerobic fitness over the winter, helping you roll into spring stronger and fitter than ever. Get the Right Kit for All Conditions Having the right kit makes a huge difference when you are training through the colder months. Staying warm and dry keeps your motivation high and your performance consistent. GRVL offers a fantastic range of cycling kit designed to handle every condition, from cool autumn mornings to wet winter rides.  One Bike, Many Purposes A gravel bike is the most versatile bike you can own. Use it for winter training, commute on it during the week and take it exploring at the weekend. With a quick tyre change it can handle everything from muddy lanes to smooth tarmac. It is possibly the best investment you can make as a road cyclist. If you are a gravel bike brand and would like to sponsor this blog or collaborate on future reviews and content, please get in touch.

After getting hooked on cycling back in 2005 I have become passionate about improving and being the best I can be on a bike. What I have learned from my clients is that we are not “taught” to ride a bike and just assume we pedal and that’s it. With so much information out there, which often contradicts each other, it can get quite complicated and overwhelming. I wanted to make it simple, straightforward and one source of content to follow hence starting the Ride Harder Academy. What is the Ride Harder Academy? “Train smarter for better health, longevity, and mental well-being.” The Ride Harder Academy offers a complete, structured cycling training plan that is simple to follow. Learn to ride efficiently and train smart, so you can be faster on the bike with less effort, freeing up more of your time. Boost your power, speed, and performance on the bike. Enhance your health, longevity, and mental well-being off the bike. At Ride Harder Academy, we embrace the train-smart ethos, providing you with all the training sessions needed to achieve your cycling goals while taking a holistic approach to improvement. Our focus on longevity ensures that you not only become stronger and fitter on the bike but also improve your health and well-being off the bike. Our meticulously planned sessions give you the structure and flexibility to train at your convenience. With the supportive community environment of Ride Harder Academy, you’ll stay motivated and driven. The guidance and accountability from the Ride Harder head coach and team will ensure you stay committed and achieve your goals. Register your place for FREE today! How the Academy started The Academy launched in 2016 with only 10 members and certainly looked different back then! Initially, this was a 7-month programme but soon found out this was too long to keep members focussed. This soon got reduced to 4 months and now 3 months which has proven the perfect length to be able to complete the initial plan and achieve the desired training adaptations. Since starting the Academy I have helped hundreds of cyclists achieve their goals. I have also introduced an Advanced Academy to follow and build on the foundation that riders have achieved and to allow them to understand more about the training metrics. I also focussed too heavily on just the training sessions and again soon realised that members needed much more than that. This is why I created the Trainsmart Fundamentals to create the full package! To continue to develop the package further in 2023 I decided to focus on longevity so a large amount of the content has been re-designed with that goal in mind. By default, this will also continue to improve the ability on the bike for many years to come. Through my personal development and coaching others, I have learned a massive amount about what works and more importantly what does not and I have included it all with the plan saving you valuable time, energy and stress! This takes the decision fatigue and many hours of planning what workout to do, it is all laid out for you so you can just get on with the training sessions. Why make all the same mistakes that I and others have made in the past? Why join the Ride Harder Academy? Investing in yourself is the best investment you can make. It is not a waste of money, what is a waste is buying stuff you don’t need! The academy was set up to provide support along the way to completing the training plan. Being part of a group and accountable means you are more likely to achieve your goal and thus complete the plan. It has been proven that the people who are the happiest and live the longest are all part of a community with a purpose. It is a great place for support and sharing personal experiences and things that work for you which in turn will help others so it is a win-win!

I took on the Glorious Gravel Dorset Epic Long Route — 95 km and 1,322 m of climbing — and it was an unforgettable day out. Stunning scenery, brilliant organisation, and the perfect test for my new GRVL kit. Here’s my full review of the event, the route, and the gear that made the ride even better.